More Amber in the UK

Okay, no secret that I am a huge fan of actress/director/author/all round decent human being Amber Benson. My ASA (stands for AmbersSecretAdmirer, my posting name on the Essence of Amber Board and the Kitten Board) is a deliberate oxymoron.

I like Amber's work very much, even when she is in projects that on the whole I don't tend to like. For example, "Taboo" wasn't great but I liked Amber's contribution. "Race You To The Bottom" only had Amber going for it. I know Amber is really proud of the film but I found it utterly depressing and I left the viewing so despondent that had I not been with friends that night I probably would have done myself an injury.

But for the most part, I've liked what I've seen. I say "what I've seen" as a good chunk of Amber's work hasn't made it over here to the good ol' UK. Her novels are only available online or in specialist scifi shops like Forbidden Planet. Go to a regular bookstore and ask for Amber Benson's work and they will give you a curious look.

Same goes for some of her indie work. "Strictly Sexual", which I saw by other means, is a great film but not getting a Region 2 release. "Country Remedy" is equally afflicted. What bothers me is that a real independent like Amber, aware that she has fans overseas, happily produced Region 2 versions of both her films yet these studios, who must realise that with Amber comes an international fanbase, seem reluctant to release a Region 2.

At the very least these indie companies should release a Region free version of their films so people overseas can see them. Simply put, they've lost money as I would have willingly paid for these films but won't cos i can't watch them. So they have lost a potential customer who must now wrestle with either not owning the film or owning them by nefarious means, which I dont want to do cos I want to support Amber's career.

So indie producers, take a leaf out of Amber's book and release your stuff with an international audience in mind. And publishing houses, do the same.

Amazingly, the world doesn't end at the borders of the USA and Canada. Amber gets that, why can't you guys?